Day: February 11, 2025

The Mighty Heron

/ doubledacres / 1 Comment

The Ardeidae family known as herons, egrets and bitterns are long -necked and long- legged wading water birds that feed off aquatic animals. I just happened to stumble onto one of their nesting grounds in the Mark Twain National Forest.

During this time, they make the most horrible sound you ever heard. We had people insist that they heard bigfoot. I got several pictures of herons, but they are very difficult to stalk. They have keen eyesight, and their stalker is usually seen long before they get close to them.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures. At this time, I would like to ask everyone to respect Mother Earth. Please don’t litter. If you pack it in pack, it out.

The End of a Good Time

/ doubledacres / 15 Comments

For two years this was our home for 8 months out of the year. I really loved being a campground host. It did have its moments though when I wondered why I am doing this. The good moments outweighed the bad moments. Once I was done with the daily duties, I was able to do the things I enjoyed doing. I thank Chris Woods of the US Forest Service for giving me this opportunity.

The Forest Service provided us with a golf cart to get around the park. These two got used to the cart and got over their fear of it. I watched these two for about 25 minutes to get this capture.

The Herons were hard to stalk. Always on alert for any movement and ready to take flight. One morning I was lucky enough to get close enough and capture it as it was taking flight.

These are some of my favorite captures from the park.

Credit Jason Wilson Photography

I got to hike the trails, fish and pan for gold. Last year I put over 30 pounds of fish in the freezer.

Sadly, I won’t be returning in 2025. I was diagnosed with peripheral foot neuropathy, which is very painful. I am currently receiving treatments from PC Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, MO. I have only had 4 treatments, and I am very satisfied with the results I have received. It also affects one’s balance. Mine was so bad I couldn’t pass a sobriety test stone cold sober. They have even helped with me with that. I am also retaining water in my legs and feet, and I have an appointment with a vein specialist in March.

I also made a lot of friends. I introduce Jason who I met at the park. He too is a photographer, and damn good at it, we took a lot of pictures.

Another chapter in my book of life comes to an end. I am going to miss this place, but I will be visiting frequently, if my health allows me to, in the capacity of one of the campers visiting Silver Mines Campground.

I am currently working on publishing a coffee table book titled, Missouri Through the Lens. It will be made up of photos of rural Missouri. Places not on the beaten path. It will contain some photos taken Silver Mines.